[RobZL1]

EDIT- see also the tuning thread if you are interested:
RobZL1's 2017 ZL1 M6: Tuning the build

Warning: long initial post here...

I have really enjoyed following the progress of several of your builds, and feel like I know some of you guys, even though I don't! After I mentioned my oil pump was on the way out, a couple of you said I'd better make a thread for my next round of mods, so I thought I should do just that. I hope that maybe a few of you will get the same level of enjoyment out of following along as I have gotten from following your builds.

Alright- onto the build!

As some of you know, a couple of months ago I started to notice my oil pressure was down a couple of psi, from my "normal" 31psig to about 28-29psig. I didn't think much of it but it did raise an eyebrow, particularly given my car is a 2017 built in April. I had recently changed the oil, so I thought, "well, maybe it's just a bad batch of oil." I kept a close eye on it, and unfortunately the pressure was gradually dropping. At around 25-26psig, I decided it was time to park it. I can only assume my oil pump is experiencing the beginning of the typical failure mode, where the ring starts to crack at the pivot pin.

I had always said I'd go ahead and build the motor if the pump started to fail, even if it wasn't on the timeline I had planned, sooooooo... here we are.

My plan for the car has always been to have a 1000hp daily (or almost daily) driver that I can take to the strip or Mexico every now and then. I had planned that for my previous 5th gen ZL1, too, but it got t-boned and I had to start over with this car. I have to say I like the 6th gen platform a lot better and am glad it turned out this way.

So why do I want a 1000hp daily? Just because I can.
Practical? Nope.
Need it? Absolutely not.
WAAAANT IT???? YEP, I SURE DO!!!

I love the mod process and always plan a major mod once a year to keep myself entertained and engaged with the car. I do my own wrenching and tuning, and for me that is the majority of the fun of owning a car like this.

I bought the car in June 2022, and my first mods in 2023 were the following, knowing I was setting the stage for my end goal:

- Maggie 2650
- Big Gulp
- NW103
- Elite Ultra catch can


Then in 2024, I added:

- CSP 2" headers and GESI ultra cats
- JMS voltage booster
- BMR motor mounts
- ZZP gauge pod with an AEM 30-0334 and Banks iDash
- BC Forged wheels, as I got an amazing deal here on the forum I couldn't pass up


For 2025, I had planned to add a flex sensor and in-tank pump, but the plans will change a bit now, thanks to the stock oil pump. Here's the rough list of major components for this current build phase:

- Katech oil pump
- BTR Stage 3 cam
- Katech ported stock heads and ARP studs
- BTR springs, pushrods, locks, retainers, etc.
- Katech 2110K lifters
- Katech timing chain
- CHE trunnions
- ATI balancer + 9.17 pulley
- LME cast timing cover, cam gear, and chain damper
- all the other supporting peripheral stuff

I know I can go smaller on the cam and still make great power. BUT- I wished I had gone bigger on my last build, so I'm going big this time from the onset. Apparently I buy cams like I buy TV's...
("Man, I should have gotten the 85" instead of the 75!")

This whole thing will likely take 3-6 months in my spare time, so it's going to be more of a marathon than a sprint. I'll keep this updated as I go.

[RobZL1]

Step 1:

Find alternate transportation.

Check!

2013 Civic Si 2.4L NA M6. 221,000 miles, but the engine only has ~100k on it. It has an Acuity intake and shifter, and coilovers.

It came with a Hondata tuner, and I had to retune it to get it to set the emission monitors so I can go be legal. Fueling was way off with a MAP tune (like +50% LTFTs!) and the rear O2 was turned off, too. I started with a stock tune and did a MAF tune instead of a MAP tune. So, as an added side benefit, now I have some familiarity with Honda ECU's and Hondata software. LOL!

I bought it with the intent of selling it after the ZL1 is finished. The problem is I really like it so far, so I'll probably keep it and drive it on the rainy days instead of the ZL1. I never thought I'd say that about a 4-banger, like... ever.

Oh well. Cars and car guys. Whatcha gunna do??

[DeuceCam]

I bet that Si is a ripper! Good spec and first step. Probably not the response you were looking for.

[Joshinator99]

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Having another car for crap weather is something you’re going to love having. Your Camaro will stay a lot cleaner. And most very high performance tires aren’t great in the rain anyway. So win win.

[RobZL1]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

I bet that Si is a ripper! Good spec and first step. Probably not the response you were looking for.

Ha! Yep, it's a lot of fun. I wasn't expecting that at all! I'm over here stopping myself from scrolling for Honda mods every night. "No, Rob, you don't need a supercharger or cams or a downpipe! Build the Camaro first!"

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Having another car for crap weather is something you’re going to love having. Your Camaro will stay a lot cleaner. And most very high performance tires aren’t great in the rain anyway. So win win.

Thanks, Josh. That's what I was thinking about the Civic. I used to do the beater thing, but then I just never drove my fun car. This time around, I think I'll want to drive both of them, so it will be fun to switch around regularly. I will definitely appreciate keeping it clean and out of the rain.

[christianchevell]

I have a lot of the mods you plan, the stage two is enough to shake the car like a massage chair sometimes, My next mod is an electric vacuum booster, I am about 900 crank to reach 1000 you would have to go to E and do the mods for that, My fuel system is maxed out and I just use 92 octane. The BTR stage three says for a Converter which you have the M-6 but unless you do say a Monster upgrade down the road or something you may wish you had less of a Cam and more of other upgrades. Good Luck, Mines a daily drive and I have a snow beater a 13 Toaster By Scion in Bright Red. I'm at 770 hp and 769 Trq on the dyno, scary enough and keep my foot out of it. Rains alot here.

[Camfab]

Looking forward to your build. Honestly I’ve always felt the build is the most exciting part, especially the anticipation. Nothing better than being in complete control of your build as well.

[radz28]

Too bad about the oil pump, but happy you get to mod'!!! Looking forward to your updates and progress!!!

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by RobZL1

Warning: long initial post here...

I have really enjoyed following the progress of several of your builds, and feel like I know some of you guys, even though I don't! After I mentioned my oil pump was on the way out, a couple of you said I'd better make a thread for my next round of mods, so I thought I should do just that. I hope that maybe a few of you will get the same level of enjoyment out of following along as I have gotten from following your builds.

Alright- onto the build!

As some of you know, a couple of months ago I started to notice my oil pressure was down a couple of psi, from my "normal" 31psig to about 28-29psig. I didn't think much of it but it did raise an eyebrow, particularly given my car is a 2017 built in April. I had recently changed the oil, so I thought, "well, maybe it's just a bad batch of oil." I kept a close eye on it, and unfortunately the pressure was gradually dropping. At around 25-26psig, I decided it was time to park it. I can only assume my oil pump is experiencing the beginning of the typical failure mode, where the ring starts to crack at the pivot pin.

I had always said I'd go ahead and build the motor if the pump started to fail, even if it wasn't on the timeline I had planned, sooooooo... here we are.

My plan for the car has always been to have a 1000hp daily (or almost daily) driver that I can take to the strip or Mexico every now and then. I had planned that for my previous 5th gen ZL1, too, but it got t-boned and I had to start over with this car. I have to say I like the 6th gen platform a lot better and am glad it turned out this way.

So why do I want a 1000hp daily? Just because I can.
Practical? Nope.
Need it? Absolutely not.
WAAAANT IT???? YEP, I SURE DO!!!

I love the mod process and always plan a major mod once a year to keep myself entertained and engaged with the car. I do my own wrenching and tuning, and for me that is the majority of the fun of owning a car like this.

I bought the car in June 2022, and my first mods in 2023 were the following, knowing I was setting the stage for my end goal:

- Maggie 2650
- Big Gulp
- NW103
- Elite Ultra catch can


Then in 2024, I added:

- CSP 2" headers and GESI ultra cats
- JMS voltage booster
- BMR motor mounts
- ZZP gauge pod with an AEM 30-0334 and Banks iDash
- BC Forged wheels, as I got an amazing deal here on the forum I couldn't pass up


For 2025, I had planned to add a flex sensor and in-tank pump, but the plans will change a bit now, thanks to the stock oil pump. Here's the rough list of major components for this current build phase:

- Katech oil pump
- BTR Stage 3 cam
- Katech ported stock heads and ARP studs
- BTR springs, pushrods, locks, retainers, etc.
- Katech 2110K lifters
- Katech timing chain
- CHE trunnions
- ATI balancer + 9.17 pulley
- LME cast timing cover, cam gear, and chain damper
- all the other supporting peripheral stuff

I know I can go smaller on the cam and still make great power. BUT- I wished I had gone bigger on my last build, so I'm going big this time from the onset. Apparently I buy cams like I buy TV's...
("Man, I should have gotten the 85" instead of the 75!")

This whole thing will likely take 3-6 months in my spare time, so it's going to be more of a marathon than a sprint. I'll keep this updated as I go.

Hey buddy... I love your build plan and agree your timing is perfect! Super excited to see your build in action!!! When do you plan to get started? Are you doing the build yourself?

[bbraswell918]

Very excited to watch this build go down and see it completed!

[RobZL1]

Many thanks, guys! Certainly is a bummer about the pump, but I knew that was a risk when I bought it.

Regardless, I'm getting excited!!

Gabe- yep, building it and tuning it myself. I plan to start ordering parts in the next week or two, and start pulling everything apart bit-by-bit in the coming weekends where I can find the time.

Christian- I'm honestly a little surprised that you'd need a vacuum pump with an off-the-shelf BTR II cam. I've never heard of that need before. I understand this phase of my build will only get me to the 800+/- SAE range on 93, which will put me right up against the limit of the LT4 injectors based on other builds I've seen, and posts from Katech. Next year, I'll do the fuel system and feed it the corn!

[JSH]

I have a different set of mods, but I too did it just because. I don't see your fuel, but I assume it's an E mix.

[RobZL1]

Originally Posted by JSH

I have a different set of mods, but I too did it just because. I don't see your fuel, but I assume it's an E mix.

Yep. I have followed everything you did / are doing with yours, too!

Fuel is 93 for this round. E will be the next step to get me up to the 1k area. I expect maybe 800-820 or so this go around on 93, and that will run me out of injector. Next phase will be Goliath, +50's, and a DSX dual in-tank to make it cornfed.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by RobZL1

Yep. I have followed everything you did / are doing with yours, too!

Fuel is 93 for this round. E will be the next step to get me up to the 1k area. I expect maybe 800-820 or so this go around on 93, and that will run me out of injector. Next phase will be Goliath, +50's, and a DSX dual in-tank to make it cornfed.

It's about time! This place gets boring fast when no one is sharing their builds!!! TAG YOUR IT!!!